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Summary of reviewsDolphin SA1, located in the heart of Swansea, offers an outstanding combination of location, service and charm, making it a popular choice among visitors. Its prime central location means guests are within walking distance of key landmarks, shops, restaurants, bars and public transport hubs, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers.
The hotel provides a convenient breakfast service with high praise for the timely delivery and well-received bacon rolls, though some guests feel the variety could be improved. The rooms are generally clean and comfortable with spacious options available, especially in the executive and family rooms. While some rooms show signs of age and have occasional issues with noise and temperature control, the value for money and practicality for short stays are frequently highlighted.
Cleanliness is often cited positively with many guests describing the hotel as spotless. Staff members are a standout feature, consistently praised for their friendliness, professionalism and willingness to assist, enhancing the guest experience significantly.
The free WiFi is mostly dependable and strong, though a few guests experience weak connections in certain areas. The hotel is particularly family-friendly, offering amenities like baby cribs and spacious family rooms and its location is advantageous for those looking to enjoy Swansea's vibrant nightlife, despite the associated noise.
The beds are praised for comfort and cleanliness, contributing to a restful stay, though bed sizes and firmness receive mixed reviews. Business travelers find the hotel's location and facilities, including well-equipped conference rooms, suitable for professional needs.
Dolphin SA1 also exudes a charming boutique feel with a characterful and quirky design, which, although may benefit from updates, adds to its unique appeal. Overall, Dolphin SA1 offers a welcoming stay with a central location, exemplary staff service and a cozy, characterful environment, making it a strong choice for a variety of travelers. Show more
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Categories
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel provides family rooms and is close to the beach and city center, providing access to family-friendly attractions and dining. They also offer kids' meals.
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Located in Swansea, it is in the city center. It's a good option for those looking to explore Swansea's nightlife, with easy access to local bars and clubs.
Cheap Hotel
Located near the beach, this hotel offers affordable accommodation with essential amenities. It's suitable for budget travelers looking to enjoy Swansea's coastal attractions.
Boutique-style Hotel
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Business Hotel
Room Types
Single Room with Private BathroomThis room comes with a writing desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bathtub or a shower.
Twin Room with BathroomThis room comes with a writing desk, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom with a bathtub or a shower.
Family Room with Private BathroomThis room comes with a writing desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bathtub or a shower.
Double Room with Private BathroomThis room comes with a writing desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bathtub or a shower.
Executive Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, executive lounge access as well as city views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Triple Room with City ViewOffering free toiletries, this triple room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The triple room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, executive lounge access as well as city views. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.4
Good
Location
'Dolphin SA1' boasts an ideal location in the heart of Swansea, often praised for its prime position within the city center. Conveniently situated above a charming café and adjacent to the vibrant indoor market, the hotel offers seamless access to shops, restaurants, bars and key landmarks such as Swansea Arena and the grand theater. Its centrality provides guests with the ease of walking to the main shopping center, bus and train stations, as well as the waterfront and beach, all within a short stroll.
The location is deemed excellent for both work and leisure, being close to numerous eateries, pubs and cultural attractions. This strategic placement ensures guests are never far from the action, making it an ideal spot for exploring Swansea without the need for extensive travel. The hotel's proximity to public transport hubs further enhances its appeal, making arrivals and departures straightforward and convenient.
Overall, 'Dolphin SA1' stands out for its unbeatable location, providing guests with a central base to enjoy the city's amenities and attractions easily.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Dolphin SA1 has garnered mixed reviews from its guests. Many appreciated the convenience of having a continental breakfast delivered directly to the room, often highlighting the timely delivery of the breakfast bags. Among the positive notes, the bacon rolls were frequently praised as delicious with some guests even calling them cracking and fabulous. The inclusion of gluten-free options was also acknowledged and appreciated.
Despite these praises, many guests expressed dissatisfaction with the overall breakfast offerings. The prevalent sentiment was that the breakfast choices were too limited and basic with some describing it as disappointing, below average and not worth the extra cost. Several guests mentioned that the breakfast lacked variety and fresh items, leading some to seek alternatives at nearby cafés.
The absence of a traditional cooked breakfast was a significant drawback for many, who expected more extensive and appealing options. Additionally, some guests were frustrated by the need to pre-order their breakfast the night before, finding the process cumbersome and the results sometimes incorrect.
Overall, while the breakfast at Dolphin SA1 has its merits, especially in terms of convenience and specific items like the bacon rolls, there is considerable room for improvement in variety, value and quality.
Rooms
The rooms at Dolphin SA1 present a mix of experiences for guests, characterized by their varying sizes, cleanliness and overall condition. Many guests found the rooms to be spacious, warm and comfortable, often highlighting their cleanliness and the fresh, well-maintained bedding and towels. Additionally, several reviews appreciated the ample storage space, cozy atmosphere and practical amenities such as tea and coffee facilities. The executive rooms also received positive remarks for their size and comfort.
Staff service frequently drew praise with numerous mentions of their friendliness and attentiveness enhancing the overall stay. The location proximity to the station, nightlife and shops was another well-received aspect.
However, there were notable mentions of the rooms being small, dated and in need of refurbishment with some fittings appearing aged and worn. Noise and temperature control issues were frequently reported with rooms often described as too hot or too noisy. Cleanliness outside of the daily housekeeping could sometimes be lacking with a few instances of crumbs, stains and an overall feeling of tired decor being highlighted.
Despite these mixed reviews, the hotel offers good value for money, particularly for short business trips or brief stays in the area. The general consensus indicates that while the rooms may not be luxurious, they provide a cozy and clean environment sufficient for most travelers' needs.
Beds
The beds at Dolphin SA1 have garnered mixed reviews from guests, but there are many positive points to highlight. Most reviewers praised the beds for being comfortable with multiple mentions of the beds being very comfy and conducive to a good night's sleep. The bedding frequently received compliments for being clean and fresh, contributing to an overall pleasant stay. It's clear that when it comes to comfort, the beds often deliver with soft and clean linen adding to the appeal.
However, some guests experienced issues with bed size, stating that they were smaller than expected, which might be a concern for taller individuals. The firmness of the mattresses varied with some guests finding them either too hard or too soft, which indicates a diverse range of preferences. A few mentions of uncomfortable mattresses and worn-out bed conditions were noted with some guests feeling every spring, leading to a less pleasant experience.
Despite a number of guests noting issues with bed quality, including old and lumpy pillows and mattresses and occasional noise from the beds, the overall impression remains positive regarding cleanliness and comfort. The beds, while varied in quality, are generally seen as a comfortable aspect of the stay at Dolphin SA1, making it a suitable choice for travelers prioritizing restful sleep.
Cleanliness
The guest reviews for Dolphin SA1 overwhelmingly highlight the cleanliness and comfort of the hotel. Many guests described their rooms as very clean, comfortable and tidy, often using terms like spotless, immaculate and pristine. The staff's efforts in maintaining cleanliness were well appreciated with clean bedding, towels and a pleasant smell frequently mentioned. Guests found the rooms to be consistently cleaned on a daily basis and were pleased with the fresh atmosphere.
However, there were some mixed reviews regarding specific issues. A few guests noted areas that could use attention, such as dusty rooms, mold in bathrooms, dirty cups and towels and occasional lapses in daily cleaning services. Issues like cracked tiles, old bathtubs and tired décor were also reported, suggesting that some parts of the hotel could benefit from renovation. Isolated incidents included dirty facilities and inadequate bathroom cleanliness.
Overall, while the positive remarks about Dolphin SA1’s cleanliness stood out predominantly, there were occasional criticisms pointing to areas needing improvement. The hotel's cleanliness was largely commended, making it a comfortable place to stay, despite some minor setbacks.
Staff
The staff at Dolphin SA1 consistently receive high praise from guests for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Numerous reviews highlight how welcoming the staff are, making guests feel at ease and well-cared-for during their stay. Receptionists, in particular, are frequently mentioned as being friendly, informative and accommodating, contributing to a seamless check-in and check-out process. Guests appreciate the extra effort made by the staff, often noting the team's attentiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to assist with various requests, such as luggage storage and providing detailed information about the local area.
Specific staff members like Craig receive individual commendations for their exceptional service and warmth. The hospitality extends beyond the reception to other areas of the hotel, including the cafe, where the morning staff are described as lovely and engaging. The positive interactions with the staff enhance the overall experience at Dolphin SA1 with many guests remarking on the staff's professionalism and genuine kindness.
While there are occasional mentions of inconsistency with a few guests encountering less pleasant interactions, these instances are notably rare. Overall, the overwhelming sentiment is that the staff at Dolphin SA1 are a standout feature of the hotel, consistently delivering excellent customer service that leaves a lasting, positive impression on guests.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at Dolphin SA1 offers a predominantly positive impression. A significant number of guests highlighted the strong, stable and reliable WiFi connections, which extended free coverage around the house with many reporting excellent performance. Guests appreciated the consistent and fast service, making it suitable for general browsing and communication. However, there were occasional mentions of weak or spotty WiFi signals with some finding the connection too weak for intensive tasks like Skype video calls. A few guests reported that WiFi was only accessible in the lobby or experienced poor connections in their rooms. Despite these instances, overall, the WiFi was commended for its functionality, providing a solid and satisfactory experience for most visitors.
Family
'Dolphin SA1' is highly recommended as a family-friendly hotel, receiving praise for its welcoming atmosphere and accommodating staff. Families visiting with children will find this hotel particularly appealing due to the large, spacious family rooms and the provision of necessary amenities like baby cribs. The hotel's family rooms are thoughtfully designed, often featuring separate bedrooms for added convenience.
Guests have noted the hotel’s suitability for all types of family setups, whether traveling with young children or in larger family groups. The staff's warm and helpful demeanor towards children contributes significantly to a positive experience. They are consistently recognized for being polite and making special efforts to ensure that families have everything they need for a comfortable stay.
The hotel's location also presents good connectivity options, being ideal for those relying on bus transportation. Overall, 'Dolphin SA1' stands out as a great spot for families, ensuring the happiness of children and the satisfaction of parents through its excellent facilities and service.
Nightlife
Dolphin SA1 offers a prime location for those eager to immerse themselves in Swansea's vibrant nightlife. Situated amidst a bustling array of clubs, bars and restaurants, it stands as the ideal destination for night owls. Guests lauded the convenience of being close to pubs and shops, making it easy to hop from one entertainment spot to another.
However, the energetic environment comes with its own set of challenges. The area is known for its street noise, particularly on busy Friday nights and weekends. Visitors noted the sounds of revellers with noise levels often peaking during the early hours of the morning as nightclubs close. The bustling activity can sometimes lead to disruptions, such as late-night door banging and taxi noise.
Despite the noise, many found the central location to be a trade-off worth making for immediate access to nightlife activities. Some guests even mentioned that, while the area was noisy, it was surprisingly tolerable and enjoyable, contributing to the city's vibrant atmosphere. Ideal for those looking to soak in Swansea's spirited nightlife, Dolphin SA1 is perfect for those who prioritize location and convenience.
Business
Dolphin SA1 presents itself as an excellent choice for business travelers, offering a variety of facilities and services tailored to their needs. The location is described as ideal and perfectly suited for work and leisure, providing easy access for guests and ensuring convenience. The property is commended for its good customer service, making it a pleasant choice for overnight stays and short business trips. The facilities cater well to business needs with well-maintained toilets and a reliable business center staffed with helpful individuals.
The conference rooms are noted as great for business meetings, contributing to an overall business-friendly environment. Guests highlight the presence of necessary business amenities that make working remotely feasible and productive. The accommodations are suitable for professional stays, offering comfortable and decent rooms that cater to work-related requirements. Overall, Dolphin SA1 stands out as a reliable and well-equipped option, providing everything needed for an effective and comfortable business trip.
Boutique-Style
Dolphin SA1, nestled in the center of town, offers a unique boutique hotel experience that has charmed its visitors. Many guests have praised the lovely atmosphere and the characterful, quirky design of the place. Despite some rooms showing signs of age with dated decor and old furniture reflecting a faded elegance, the hotel still retains a quaint and cozy boutique vibe. The shared spaces and rooms exude a beautiful, contemporary boutique look, although they might benefit from some updates to fully match the vibrant boutique charm that the hotel aspires to.
Travelers commend the fab location, which acts as a perfect base for exploring the town. The budget-friendly accommodation does not compromise on providing a nice boutique feel, characterized by unique and charming decor. Although the hotel has steep stairs, which might pose a challenge for some, the cozy and charming boutique setting compensates for this minor inconvenience.
Overall, Dolphin SA1 offers a delightful boutique hotel experience with each room uniquely designed to reflect the boutique ethos. Its charming and characterful atmosphere makes it a pleasant and inviting place for an enjoyable stay.
No, Dolphin SA1 doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Dolphin SA1.
No, Dolphin SA1 doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Dolphin SA1.